Tuesday, December 30, 2008

The New England Regional Council of Carpenters broke ground yesterday on a new office building that will house its headquarters and a training center in Dorchester.

The 24,000-member union will transform an existing industrial building at 750 Dorchester Ave. into offices, a bank, and an eye care center for its membership. The building will also include a trade school that will train about 2,000 students a year.

The 75,000-square-foot facility is expected to be completed by early 2010.

Monday, December 1, 2008

Upon completion, the Carpenters Center will qualify for LEED Certifiable status. As part of the preparation for this, a Commissioning Study of the project is being done to review various energy-related categories, including HVAC, domestic hot water, and lighting. The consultant hired for this will make recommendations or approve plans for the equipment and will supervise the delivery and installation of those items.

Other ways in which the building will be eligible for LEED Certifiable status include: implementing a storm water collection system, which will collect and filter ground water and remove more than 90% of suspended solids before discharge in the City system; installing a heat reflective (white) roof; and installing low water use toilets.

“We fully understand and appreciate the intent of the regulations of the City of Boston and the Green Building Task Forces,” notes David Dow, NECLMP Special Projects.

“Building Green can add to a building’s cost, but adhering to these sustainability goals will provide us with dividends over the life or our building. Not only will we save on energy costs that may be far more expensive in the future, but we are providing our members and employees with a safe, clean environment to work in.”